INVESTIGATIONS are being carried out to find out if oil pollution in a South Cumbria river caused the death of an otter cub.

Sarah O'Neill, a volunteer with the International Otter Survival Fund, was called to the River Winster at Grange on Saturday August 1 to reports of a weak cub by a member of the public.

An assessment of the scene found there to be a large oil slick on the river close to where the otter, which is believed to have been around four-months-old, was found.

Despite the best attempts of Miss O'Neill and an emergency vet, the otter later died.

She said: "I could smell petrol. I bathed him and it was like it was coming through his skin.

"I'm pretty certain he ingested the oil. With petrol ingestion you need to treat it really quickly.

"If that cub swam trough the river then its mother will have done and otters often have more than one cub so they could sadly be on the other side of the river and may have died as well."

The cub is now being sent for post mortem to confirm the cause of death.

Andrew Frankish, lead investigating officer for the Environment Agency, confirmed they were investigating an oil pollution incident on Lindale Beck in Lindale, near Grange, which had also impacted the River Winster.

He said: “Our site visits indicate that very little oil is now entering the beck, however there is a very thin sheen of oil over an extensive area of the River Winster which will take some time to flush through.

“We believe we have now found the source of the pollution and work is ongoing to prevent any further pollution of the watercourse.

“Unfortunately, we have had a report of an otter in the area that was taken ill and has since died. An autopsy will be carried out on the body to determine the cause of death.

“Investigations are ongoing and once complete, we will consider what enforcement action is required.

“It’s important the public report pollution incidents to the Environment Agency on our 24-hour hotline on 0800 80 70 60, so we can investigate.”